Kansas City, MO Bicycle Transportation Initiative
Kansas City,
MO,
US
Type: Policy
Status: Established by ordinance on 8/15/02
Source File: http://www.kcmo.org/pubworks.nsf/web/kcbike1?opendocument
Description:
"BIKE KC!"
KANSAS CITY’S BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVE
Integrating bicycles into the mix of Kansas City’s transportation choices has begun. An on-street, arterial network of bicycle routes is being planned and implemented.
The core of the initiative is a phased network of 600 miles of on-street bicycle routes that primarily serve a transportation purpose.
More than 90 percent of the proposed bicycle network is located on the city’s streets, both existing and future streets. The bike routes follow residential streets in some areas, and follow the existing and planned arterial road system in many other areas. The bulk of the funding for implementation of the route system, about 80 percent, comes from federal sources (e.g., congestion and air quality mitigation grants).
The bike routes are included in the City’s Major Street Plan.
Adoption of the bicycle routes into the Major Street Plan enables the City to obtain public right-of-way along bicycle routes in developing areas of the city, such as north of the river or in the far south. The dedication of additional right-of-way, about 8 to 10 feet, will allow for the future development of bicycle lanes or wide curb lanes as demand warrants. Inclusion of the routes in the plan also helps ensure that new bridges along the bicycle routes will be constructed to accommodate bicycle lanes, and options for obtaining future federal funds are enhanced. More information on the legislative history of the initiative.
Bicycle routes will be designed in accordance with Design Standards that are also adopted in the City’s Major Street Plan.
The design of bicycle lanes will be compliant with federal AASHTO design standards, and typical cross sections for the bicycle facilities are included in the Major Street Plan.
Download the design standards.
“Bike KC!” is based on the City’s long-range comprehensive plan, FOCUS Kansas City.
Planning for the initiative began in 1999. More information.
Implementation planning for the first phase of bicycle routes is currently under way.
The first phase of bicycle routes consists of a roughly 45-mile "starter" bike route system in the city's urban core. Encompassing an area from the Missouri River to 63rd Street, the routes will be mostly "shared facilities," that is, where automobiles and bicycles share the same traffic lane. Summer 2003 is the new target date for work to begin on improvements to the bicycle routes. Roadway hazards, such as manhole covers lying below the surface grade, will be repaired and dangerous drainage grates will be replaced. The routes will also be signed with "Share the Road" signs. Federal funds of approximately $900,000 will be used for this effort.
Bicycle carriers are being installed on city buses.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) recognizes the importance of inter-modal connections. KCATA's "Bike-N-Bus" service has installed bicycle carriers on eleven bus routes. All new buses ordered by the KCATA also now come equipped with the bicycle carriers, and conversion of the entire fleet is expected by the end of 2003. The carriers are mounted on the front of city buses and safely and securely hold two bicycles.
Routes equipped with the carriers include a cross-river route, #142, running along North Oak Street, across the Missouri River, to Crown Center. Other routes are Roanoke (#47), Ward Parkway (#51), Rockhill (#55), Indiana (#108), 63rd St (#163), Northeast (#30), Minnesota, KCKS (#101), Quindaro (#106), I-29 Express (#129), and Vivion/Antioch (#133). For more information, visit the ATA's Bike-N-Bus program.
Bicycle parking facilities are being planned.
Bicycle parking at end-trip destinations and transit park-and-ride facilities is another area of the initiative’s focus.Hoop-type bicycle parking racks, for example, provide security and convenience and are critical components of a bicycle transportation infrastructure.
The new Ilus Davis Park, adjacent to City Hall, now features secure parking racks which can hold up to 30 bicycles. The racks are placed at several locations around the two-block park. During 2003, the initiative plans to provide for additional placement of about 100 bicycle parking racks in the urban core, and several bicycle storage lockers are planned for long-term storage at employment centers and business districts.
Click here to read the enabling ordinance.